New Delhi, March 11 -- In one of the most shocking results in World Baseball Classic history, Italy handed the star-studded United States an 8-6 defeat on Tuesday night at Daikin Park in Houston. The loss dropped Team USA to 3-1 in Pool B and left their quarterfinal hopes hanging by a thread on Wednesday's final group game between Italy and Mexico.

Italy, featuring many players with Italian-American MLB ties, entered as heavy underdogs but exploded early. Kyle Teel launched a solo home run in the second inning off USA starter Nolan McLean, followed by Sam Antonacci's two-run shot. Jac Caglianone added a two-run homer in the fourth with a bold bat flip, building an 8-0 lead.

Veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen, not originally slated to...